#TimeForCrime: getting to the darkest heart of writers and bloggers! With Andy Barrett @AndrewBarrettUK

Welcome to #TimeForCrime a new series here at Chapterinmylife.

I am inviting bloggers and authors talk about their favourite subject crime, with a set of quick-fire Q&As taking you to the dark heart of the person behind the book or the blog!

This week I am delighted to welcome author Andy Barrett.

Name: Andrew Barrett

About you: I’m a 51 year-old fart who should know better by now. But inside my head I’m still a reckless 20-something. I’ve been writing crime fiction since 1996, and that was the same year I became a CSI in Yorkshire. I love both strands of my life, but given the chance I’d write full-time.

Let’s delve into the darkness that is Andy’s mind!

Why crime fiction?

Doing the job I do, I’d be daft to write anything else; it gives me a great foundation to work with as I write. But not only that, I find it a very satisfying genre to live inside – it has everything I crave. Plus I hate romance!

Favourite book you have written

Nasty question, Sharon! I like them all for different reasons, but if you pressed me, I think I’d go for The End of Lies because it’s turbocharged!

You are stranded on a desert island, you can take one book, what will it be

A note-book. Okay, okay… probably The Stand – unabridged.

Do you have a kill list and who is on it?

Yes, I do. Mainly everyone I meet 😉 Only kidding. I don’t have a kill list, but I do have a machine gun turret on the top of my car. So watch out, Audi drivers! And taxi drivers. And bus drivers. And…

Top criminal (real or fiction) is Neil McCauley. He’s a gangster played by De Niro in the film Heat. It’s my all-time favourite heist movie (I know it’s not a book, but that wasn’t part of the question). McCauley is a pro thief, a little bit like Hades in my SOCO Roger Conniston books, I really admire him for his detailed way of working and his no-BS attitude.

Top fictional detective could have been the cop who plays opposite McCauley – Lt Hanna (Pacino), but I think John Rain beats him. Mr Rain is a character created by Barry Eisler. And though he’s not your regular detective – he’s a bit of an assassin as well, I adore his attention to detail and his methods for working out what is likely to happen, or what has likely happened.

Planner or pantser/organised or beautifully chaotic

90% pantster with 10% “Heeeeelp!” I love being carried away by a plot or a by a character who refuses to do what I tell him.

Favourite method of murder. For a real hands-on approach I don’t think you can beat a good old stabbing. You get to watch the look in their eyes as the blade goes in.

Best place to dispose a body? Somewhere the cops have already looked.

Where can we find you? (Oh your blog details, dafty, any personal haunts send them to me privately!)

Share this:

Like this:

Published by chapterinmylife

Hi my name is Sharon and I have an obsession - it's reading! My preferred genre is crime/thriller/police procedural with a penchant for Tartan Noir.
This is my blog for my book reviews and I would love to connect with other like minded readers and authors. I'm happy to feature interviews on my blog, review ARCs (kindle and hard copies)
All views are honest and my own
If you wish to contact me then please email me:
chapterinmylifesb@gmail.com
View all posts by chapterinmylife

2 thoughts on “#TimeForCrime: getting to the darkest heart of writers and bloggers! With Andy Barrett @AndrewBarrettUK”